"Late Night with Seth Meyers" -- also known as the next phase in turning NBC's late-night programming into a "Saturday Night Live" reunion clubhouse -- debuted Monday (actually, early Tuesday) with its host settling in comfortably behind the desk.

The thicket of "SNL" veterans was downright dense Monday night, with Fallon welcoming "SNL" graduate and "Portlandia" costar and co-creator Fred Armisen as a guest on "The Tonight Show."

A short time later, Armisen then made his debut as leader of the house band on "Late Night," with Meyers. A few minutes after that, Meyers welcomed former "SNL" star Amy Poehler as his first guest.

By this point, anyone who hasn't been an "SNL" cast member, or doesn't have a jokey memory of working together, might feel a bit left out.

Fortunately, Meyers made an easy transition from doing "Weekend Update" on "SNL" to late-night host. Meyers seemed to miss the desk as he launched into his opening monologue -- which he announced by wryly saying, "I'm gonna shake stuff up and open this thing with a monologue."

But after what looked like a bit of nervousness, Meyers seemed to relax. He breezily handled -- in Johnny Carson style -- a joke that didn't quite go over, by saying, "All right, our first sorta bomb," with a smile.

Working on a set that echoes Fallon's new "Tonight Show" home -- all shades of blue and woodsy brown -- Meyers struck a tone that was a bit more brainy than Fallon's Good Time Charlie tone. How many late-night hosts, for example, would trust their viewers to be awake and alert enough to follow a bit using the Venn Diagram model as a joke delivery system?

View full sizeFred Armisen and the 8G Band, on the debut of "Late Night with Seth Meyers."Peter Kramer/NBC

In an inspired touch, Meyers made fun of his smarter-than-thou persona with an anecdote about a getaway with his wife that ended with a guy from a diner fixing the couple's flat tire as Meyers looked on, holding their little, sweater-wearing dog. The capper was a photo of Meyers, dog in his arms, watching the tire-changing.

Meyers seemed totally in his element sitting at his small desk -- by the way, how low is the budget for this show, with a dinky desk, no couch, and just chairs? -- and having a loose and spirited chat with Poehler.

The insider-showbiz tone got a bit much, which made the presence of second guest Vice President Joe Biden -- or as Poehler called him, "the gorgeous charm monster Joe Biden" -- actually refreshing. Meyers smoothly moved from kidding around with Poehler to asking Biden about his interest in rail travel. That may not sound like late-night magic, but it was a welcome break from the "SNL" schmoozing.

Since Fallon's approach leans heavily on involving his guests in sketches or party games, there's definitely room in late-night for Meyers to actually have conversations with guests that don't have to lead to a punchline or a routine.

Also appealing is Meyers' chemistry with Armisen, who played guitar with the band, but also comically played off Meyers and Poehler. Since Meyers doesn't have an announcer-sidekick, Armisen can be a comic foil as well as bandleader (and the theme music is a fun, poppy, rock-ish tune.)

As always, you can't judge a late-night host by a first show. But Meyers' debut indicates that his blend of intelligence and goofy humor will be a welcome addition to the crowded late-night neighborhood.